Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-05-22

there is a very important patriotic
side to this question. The way France
is situated, can she afford to weaken
in any great degree her military
strength? She is confronted by a
power which is ready to take advan-
tage of any weak spot in her armor
to strike and crush her. This is the
belief of the most sagacious men IN
Europe, Notwithstanding the En-
peror OF Germany has said that there
will be no war with France during
his lifetime. But even Emperors
cannot guarantee peace. The difh'
Guilty is that the two countries are
exasperated against each other, and
when that state of feeling exists, the
slightest accident may force rup-
ture. The recent affair of the seizure
of French commissioner on the
frontier by German officials was ad-
justed with the greatest difficulty.
such things are liable to arise at any
moment in the present state of the
public mind in both countries. 1t is
therefore only fair to examine the
other side of this question OF finance.
Ii nation is liable to be annihilated
unless she is prepared for war, she
must keep up her armament to the
highest standard, coute qui cottte.
This side of the question cannot
be better illustrated than by giving
the views OF General Boulanger on the
situation. In an interview with
correspondent of the New York
Herald on the 10Th instant on the
subject OF change of Ministry, in re-
ply to the question as to what would
be his conditions of accepting the
portfolio OF War Minister in the new
cabinet, he said:
"In the first place, l will not con-
sent to the withdrawal or modifca-
ton in any way of my bill for the re-
organization OF the army, nor OF my
plan OF partial mobilization during
the coming autumn. / cannot con-
sent to reduction of the war budget
by a single centime. Then there are
certain men with whom l would
never consent to be in the same
Cabinet"
He supplemented this significant
answer by saying that he would not
serve in a Cabinet with "persons whc
hold too cheaply the dignity OF the
country, and who wish to put a brake
on the awaking Of the military spirit
of the nation" He further said that
he was convinced that "the esprit
militaire is our best defense, if we are
attacked, and / never do anything tc
lessen or dim the esprit national.
would rather break my sword"
As to the condition OF the French
army, in case he should be compelled
to turn it over to another, he said:
II shall leave the army prepared
and organized, and able to measure
Its strength with any army that ex
lists. Germany will not attack US
because Germany knows that we are
strong, and the Germans are prudent
The French army does not, for q
moment, hope for any ally, for there
is not a single Power in Europe tha
has confidence in us on account OF oul
uncertain policy in le Stabilize de nOtr
poiitigue. But we need nobody"
He continues:
Il consider war as inevitable. K
be sure, We might disarm and there
by economize greatly, but this woult
be doing exactly what our neighbour
want us to do, and that would max,
us in very short time pay dearly fol
it.
$50 long as l am Minister of Wal
France will not submit to the slight
est affront, and prefer to retire thar
be a member of a Cabinet which will
not allow me freedom of action"
General Boulanger no doubt re-
fleets the feelings and the military
spirit OF the great body OF the French
people. From his standpoint, Mira
beau's eloquent declaration becomes
a maxim which it would be better
and more noble to practically verify
than to run the risk of a disgraceful
submission to hostile power. This
would resolve the whole question ol
finance into a nutshell. The army
cannot be reduced, ard the vast ex-
penditure must 20 on. But if the ex-
penditure must go on, there must be
some means devised to ultimately
meet it. This would bring the nation
face to face with the other alternative,
namely, by increasing the taxes.
Here is where Mirabeau's dec
laration comes in-''Rather than
national dishonorr, We shall live on
crusts."